Vol.6 Ishikawa

Posted on Nov.16, 2017 by admin

Kaga Cuisine and Traditional Japanese Dining

Ishikawa’s Rich Culinary Culture

During the Edo period (1603~1867), the land currently known as Ishikawa prefecture was called Kaga domain, and was ruled by the Maeda clan, who devoted the use of much of their riches into promoting local production as well as cultural endeavors, resulting in the development of many traditional art crafts and culture. Kaga-style cuisine, one such product of their patronage, utilizes a wide variety of ingredients and the special traditional cooking techniques of master chefs. It is known for its minute attention to detail.

There are many historical ryoteis (luxurious traditional restaurants serving premium Japanese cuisine, often with entertainment provided by geisha) in Ishikawa prefecture which offer travelers a taste of this delicious local cuisine.

In order to better understand and enjoy Ishikawa’s traditional cuisine, we’ll be talking about the history of Kaga cuisine.

Geographic Conditions Unique to Kaga Cuisine

Ishikawa prefecture is blessed with many natural assets; it is surrounded by mountain and sea, allowing for access to many fresh ingredients, and has the fertile Kaga plains, which produce a wealth of rice and vegetables. It is also located in the middle of central Japan, and thus is at the northernmost point where foods from the south can be produced, and vice versa. It is called a “treasure house of ingredients” for its wide range of ingredients available throughout the four seasons.

Kaga cuisine is also known for being very hearty. Ishikawa is located between the Kansai western and Kanto eastern regions, and under the rule of Toshiie Maeda, ancestor of the Maeda clan whose master was Hideyoshi Toyotomi (feudal lord and chief imperial minister who completed the 16th century unification of Japan), Kaga domain was influenced heavily by Kyoto’s culture, including its delicate cuisine. However, over the years it also came to be influenced by the richer, heartier samurai cuisine of Edo, the capital of the Shogunate, and the mixing of the two resulted in a new, unique style of cooking.

Furthermore, the ones supporting the development of techniques and the high-quality cooking unique to Kaga cuisine are its chefs. One could say that their ability to use fresh and bountiful ingredients to their fullest potential is an important aspect of Kaga cuisine. The Maeda clan were ardent practitioners of tea ceremonies for many generations, and when they held a tea ceremony for guests, they would prepare the usual tea-making utensils, bowls, and flower arrangements, as well as kaiseki cooking—light course meals served before a tea ceremony. As such, they hired many chefs to serve their guests, thus preserving and developing the techniques of Kaga cuisine for generations to come.

Traditional Ryoteis Preserving Culture

Along with the food itself, the atmosphere of the ryoteis is something you must experience. The elegant dishes, the calming style of the Japanese-style room, and the elegantly arranged furniture all combine to create a unique restaurant experience that is part of the Kaga cuisine culture. Below we discuss the elements that make these restaurants so special.

The buildings themselves are a part of the overall aesthetic. The vermillion walls, said to be the ideal backdrop for the elegant movements of a geisha, are still preserved to this day, and some ryoteis even have ultramarine walls, unique to Kanazawa, that are said to have been a favorite of the samurai.

In these traditional ryoteis, the dishes and utensils are of course products of local traditional crafts, such as Kutaniyaki porcelains, Wajima lacquerware, Kanazawa lacquerware, and Yamanaka lacquerware. At ryoteis with a long history, many now-valuable pieces, gathered and preserved over many generations, are still used to serve food. Being able to touch such first-class items as this is one of the appeals of such traditional restaurants.

For information about Ishikawa, please visit the official Ishikawa travel guide website (English) and Facebook Discover Ishikawa.

https://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/english/index.html

https://www.facebook.com/Discover-Ishikawa-Japan-1707686196110375/

Posted in Discover Japan

On 1 June, we joined Burwood Council for a study session. These sessions have been held annually since 2024, making this the third exchange between our organisations.

Representatives from the JLGC Sydney Office first introduced a project being implemented in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, which is the home municipality of one of our Assistant Executive Directors. Under this project, high school students collaborate with local businesses to develop specialty products. Burwood Council participants showed particular interest in how participating businesses are selected and were eager to learn more about this aspect of the project. We then introduced Japan’s local government mascots, commonly known as yuru-chara, which play an important role in enhancing regional recognition and brand value, as well as communicating government initiatives in an accessible and engaging way. The participating Assistant Executive Directors introduced mascots from their respective local governments and organisations and explained the characters’ backgrounds, roles and activities. In response, Burwood Council participants asked a range of questions, including how mascot designs are submitted and how the final designs are selected.

Burwood Council then provided an overview of its future-oriented urban development initiatives. Located approximately 15 minutes by train from central Sydney, Burwood currently has a population of around 45,000, which is expected to double over the next decade. In anticipation of this growth, as well as the planned opening of a new metro station in 2032, the Council outlined its approach to promoting high-density urban development alongside the enhancement of high-quality public spaces. Specific initiatives include the development of a new cultural facility that will serve as a hub for arts and culture, the installation of public art, and measures to stimulate the night-time economy and create a vibrant urban environment. The Council also explained its efforts to incorporate community input into urban planning through advisory committees made up of local residents and online consultation platforms that enable broad public participation.

Following the discussion, we joined Burwood Council staff on a site visit to observe projects aimed at enhancing public spaces through public art and promoting the night-time economy. With development and revitalisation projects underway across many parts of the city, we were able to gain valuable insights into Burwood’s ongoing urban transformation.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone at Burwood Council for providing us with this valuable learning opportunity.
～Grand Prize – ¥500,000～

SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN for the 15th Annual Manga Kingdom Tottori International Comic Art Contest!

（Deadline: August 31st）

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

The 15th edition of the Manga Kingdom Tottori International Comic Art Contest is now officially accepting entries – including the special ‘U-15 Youth Manga Artist Prize’ for entrants aged 15 and under. The contest is open to artists worldwide and submissions are accepted in any language!

This year’s theme is ‘Clothing’.

Entries will be accepted until Monday August 31st (JST).

The Grand Prize winner will receive a cash prize of ¥500,000, and selected artists will be invited to Tottori Prefecture for the award ceremony. Winning works will be compiled into a professionally published collection. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this prestigious international celebration of comic art – get your entries in before the deadline!

Website:

(EN) https://www.pref.tottori.lg.jp/mangacontest_15/eng/

(JP) https://www.pref.tottori.lg.jp/mangacontest_15/
The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

View this correspondence in PDF.
Newsletter No.201
Ehime Prefecture is located along Japan’s Seto Inland Sea and is home to approximately 1.27 million people. It is known for its warm climate and outstanding scenic beauty, along with its long history of citrus cultivation. The prefecture is made up of many islands, with the unique landscape of the Seto Inland Sea spreading throughout. In recent years, Ehime has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination, welcoming many domestic and international visitors all year round.

In 2027, Ehime Prefecture will host “Velo-city,” an international bicycle conference, for the first time in Japan. Velo-city is one of the largest academic conferences, bringing bicycle companies, researchers, and experts together from around the world. While discussing various topics including tourism, safety, and urban planning, participants can enjoy the cityscape of Matsuyama through a bicycle parade and will also be able to visit other parts of the prefecture via ‘technical visits’ (explained below).

In recent years, Ehime Prefecture has become one of the leading centers of bicycle culture in Japan. Many local residents begin riding bicycles at a very young age, and the majority of high school students commute to school by bike. Furthermore, the prefecture boasts Japan’s highest helmet-wearing rate, demonstrating strong safety awareness throughout the community. This well-established environment, which allows people of all ages to use bicycles safely on a daily basis, positions Ehime Prefecture as a center of Japan’s bicycle culture.

Technical visits are guided tours that allow participants to explore various locations throughout the prefecture during Velo-city, featuring multiple courses with different themes. There is a course to learn about the infrastructure and scenery of the “Shimanami Kaido,” Japan’s representative maritime cycling route; a course to study safety education initiatives in schools by observing Japan’s typical morning school commute; and a course to experience the “Henro,” a pilgrimage to Buddhist temples, by bicycle. By participating in these technical visits and experiencing the local atmosphere, participants can gain valuable insights into the prefecture’s bicycle policies firsthand.

On the second day (Wednesday, 26 May 2027), a spectacular bicycle parade will fill the city center. While showcasing the prefecture’s appeal as an international model bicycle city, the event will provide a chance for all participants to experience and share how bicycles act as a catalyst for regional revitalisation, bringing new possibilities for future urban space allocation, health, a sense of purpose in life, and friendship.

During the four-day event, approximately 80 plenary breakout sessions will be held at the venue, with discussions centered around key themes and priorities. The conference program content will be determined by selecting proposals submitted during the abstract submission period, which begins in September. To encourage active exchange of diverse perspectives, Ehime welcomes a large number of submissions. Participants are invited to apply and help make this event a success.
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend an awards ceremony recognising outstanding achievement in Japanese-related studies, hosted by the Australia-Japan Society of NSW (AJS-NSW).

On the day, certificates were presented to seven outstanding students nominated by seven universities[1] in the Greater Sydney region, and each recipient delivered a speech.

All of the award recipients shared reflections along similar lines, such as: “Thanks to studying Japanese, I’ve had incredible experiences, like studying at a Japanese university through an exchange program and making friends from diverse backgrounds, that have truly changed my life.” Another common sentiment was: “Looking ahead, I hope to pursue a career related to Japan or possibly live there in the future, so I will continue to work hard to achieve these goals.”

Learning and mastering a language other than one’s mother tongue is by no means an easy task. First and foremost, I would like to express my deep respect to the award recipients for their dedicated commitment to studying Japanese.

I am also delighted that their language studies have sparked such a strong interest in Japan and a genuine desire to deepen their understanding. I was deeply impressed by their determination to maintain a connection with Japan long after graduation.

On a personal note, I moved to Sydney last July, my first time living abroad, and I must admit that I still find speaking English challenging at times. However, seeing the dedication of the award recipients has inspired me to renew my own efforts. By conversing and connecting with others in English, I hope to further deepen my understanding of the local people, culture, and values in this region.

[1] The seven universities were Macquarie University, The University of Newcastle, University of New England, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), The University of New South Wales (UNSW), The University of Sydney, and Western Sydney University.
On Thursday, 21 May, representatives from Yamagata City, who came to Australia to exhibit at the Snow Travel Expo held in Melbourne and Sydney, paid a visit to CLAIR Sydney Office.

During their visit, we outlined the role of our office and provided an overview of Australia’s society and economy, as well as the current state of inbound tourism to Japan.

This led to an engaging discussion on the differences in industry structure between Japan and Australia and recent trends in inbound tourism.

CLAIR Sydney also supports a wide range of initiatives undertaken by Japanese local governments in Australia and New Zealand. If you require assistance with your activities, please feel free to contact us.
On 24 May, the Japan Festival 2026 was held in the City of Whitehorse, located approximately 15 km east of Melbourne.

Around 100 booths and stalls lined the venue, offering Japanese goods and crafts as well as Japanese cuisine such as sushi and okonomiyaki. Visitors could also enjoy cultural activities including origami and shogi (Japanese chess). There were also a variety of stage performances, including taiko drumming, the Soran Bushi folk dance, and Tsugaru shamisen music, as well as kimono and cosplay contests. According to the organisers, the festival attracted approximately 5,500 visitors.

CLAIR Sydney also hosted a booth, promoting the attractions of regions across Japan through tourism brochures and other materials. Among the visitors to our booth were people planning cruise trips to Japan, as well as others who said they had visited the country more than ten times, reflecting the enduring appeal of Japan as a travel destination. We also spoke to visitors who had started learning Japanese after their travels and were hoping to move there in the future, highlighting a strong interest in Japanese culture and way of life.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between the City of Whitehorse and Matsudo City in Chiba Prefecture. It is the longest-running Japan–Australia sister-city relationship in the state of Victoria. As part of the exchange program, the venue also displayed letters with hand-drawn illustrations created by residents of Matsudo , offering visitors a glimpse into the strong bond between the two cities.
On Tuesday, 12 May, the Australia-Japan Society of NSW (AJS-NSW) held an awards ceremony to recognise outstanding achievement in Japanese-related studies. Certificates were presented to seven students, each nominated by a university across the Sydney metropolitan area.

Following the presentation ceremony, each award recipient delivered a speech, some in Japanese, reflecting on what inspired them to begin studying the language, its appeal, , the challenges they encountered during their studies, and their future aspirations. Their stories varied widely, ranging from students who began learning the language with the dream of working for a Japanese game company to those whose exchange experiences at Japanese universities enabled them to build friendships with people from around the world.

Many of the students reflected on how learning Japanese had expanded their horizons and future possibilities and expressed their hope to continue taking on new challenges connected to Japan, including working or living there in the future.

Learning and mastering a language other than one’s mother tongue is never easy. We were deeply moved by the speeches of these students, who spoke passionately about maintaining their connection with Japan even after graduation.

CLAIR Sydney will continue to work closely with Japanese language education institutions and related organisations, further strengthening people-to-people exchanges through Japanese language and culture, and contributing to the ongoing development of Japan-Australia relations.
The latest issue of our correspondence is released.

View this correspondence in PDF.

Vol.6 Ishikawa

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